WASHINGTON (TND) — Over the weekend, three men of Palestinian descent who were attending a Thanksgiving gathering near the University of Vermont campus were shot and injured.
The suspect in the shooting appeared before a judge Monday, pleading not guilty to attempted murder.
Burlington Police Chief Jon Murad said the men were victims of an unprovoked attack in a “horrible crime.” But, authorities do not have information to suggest a hate-motivated crime was committed at this time.
However, a rise in reports of Islamophobia and Antisemitism has been seen across the United States as the war between Israel and Hamas continues.
A few weeks ago, two college students in Ohio were allegedly assaulted in an antisemitic attack. Last month, an Illinois landlord was charged with a hate crime after being accused of fatally stabbing a 6-year-old Muslim boy and wounding his mother in Chicago.
The National Desk spoke with Corey Saylor, Director of Research and Advocacy at the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), about the rise in hate crimes.
“To put it into context for you, it’s a 216% increase in incoming reports of bias and requests for help last month, over a similar period last year,” Saylor said. “So, just a staggering amount of people who are suffering from bias.”
As for getting an increase in hatred to stop:
It’s fairly straightforward,” Saylor said. “President Biden can work to get a permanent cease-fire.
Saylor said the major driver of this wave of Islamophobia is from the fighting going on overseas.
“And then domestically, elected officials can make sure that their messaging is intended to cool things down as opposed to increase the heat,” Saylor said.
Saylor spoke about how CAIR is addressing a growing number of Americans currently living in fear.
We want people to know that, particularly in this moment, it is very important to go out and use your voice and engage in the political process in a positive matter that helps to bring about that lasting cease fire, an end to the occupation and apartheid.
He said when people contact CAIR, the group provides a variety of services from legal services to advocacy services like writing letters, reaching out or calling media attention to things.
“What we don’t want people to do is feel afraid. So that’s what CAIR is here for. We’re here to support them in their moment of need and make sure that they get justice when something, some form of discrimination occurs,” Saylor said.
When it comes to the possibility of CAIR working with Jewish organizations to prevent violence, Saylor says that is something that is already happening.
“I would say that if you go to a rally opposing the occupation of apartheid, you will see people of many different faiths,” Saylor said. “Often these rallies are led by people of the Jewish faith and include Arabs and Muslims and Christians, African Americans, people of AAPI descent.”
You’re seeing the whole plethora of folks. So that’s already happening and we’re very proud of that fact.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
